There’s nothing like relaxing in a hot tub and then enjoying a gourmet dinner after a long day of world-class white-water rafting.
Yes, you read that correctly: White-water rafting and luxury camping.
The combination is possible thanks to the Deluxe Gauley River Overnight package offered by Adventures on the Gorge. It takes place on and along the Gauley River in West Virginia.
“The Deluxe Gauley Overnight is a bucket-list, world-class white-water rafting experience that attracts rafters from around the world,” Roger Wilson, CEO of Adventures on the Gorge, told TravelAwaits in a statement. “Unlike the early days of rafting half a century ago when rafting was synonymous with roughing it, now there’s a great option to combine this wild, backcountry adventure with luxurious amenities like fine cuisine and a hot tub soak after a fun day of paddling.”
The adventure resort’s 2-day package is only offered in September and October, during what’s known as the Gauley Season. During that time, a 25-mile stretch of the Gauley River features approximately 100 rapids — including several Class V rapids.
In addition to 2 days of rafting, the package includes one night of camping at the resort’s permanent Canyon Doors Campground, gourmet meals prepared by a chef, and soaks in a wood-fired hot tub, Adventures on the Gorge explains. The campground features hot showers, bathrooms, and a large sandy beach.
Why There’s A “Gauley Season”
In the fall, on what’s called Gauley Season days, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers releases water from the Summersville Dam into the Gauley River, creating what many people call one of the best white-water rivers in the United States, according to the National Park Service (NPS).
“The Gauley River’s complex stretch of whitewater features more than 100 rapids with a steep gradient, technical runs, an incredible volume of water, and huge waves,” the NPS continues. “Its vigorous rapids, scenic quality, and inaccessibility combine to make Gauley River one of the premier white-water runs in the world.”
The Upper Gauley starts just below Summersville Dam and drops more than 335 feet in fewer than 13 miles, “creating the most intense whitewater on the river and one of the most challenging white-water experiences in the world,” Adventures on the Gorge explains. Although the 12-mile Lower Gauley is slightly less intense, it’s still challenging since there are 70 rapids.
The water releases are scheduled for Friday through Monday, so rafters can plan for long weekends of adventure. Release dates this year are September 8–11, 15–18, 22–25, September 29–October 2, October 6–8, 14–15, and 21–22.
More Than Rafting
Adventures on the Gorge is located in Lansing, West Virginia, 61 miles from Charleston, West Virginia’s capital. It’s a 4- to 5-hour drive from Charlotte, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and Washington, D.C.
Importantly, Adventures on the Gorge, which is located on more than 300 acres adjacent to the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, doesn’t just offer white-water rafting adventures. The resort also offers dozens of outdoor adventures, including zipline tours, a suspended bridge walk, rock climbing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, fishing, mountain biking, and hiking.
Its lodging choices include deluxe multi-bedroom rental homes and cabins, hotel-style cabins, bunkhouse cabins, rustic cabins, glamping tents, RV sites, and campgrounds.
You can learn more about the Deluxe Gauley River Overnight package and other rafting trips, additional adventures, and lodging options at Adventures on the Gorge.
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